The first use of biofuel for the defence sector's business trips with Norwegian was marked at Ålesund Airport Vigra this week. Norwegian will blend 15 percent biofuel on over 1 million flights until 2028, and St1 will supply this from its biorefinery in Gothenburg.
The agreement is the largest of its kind in Norwegian history, and most likely the first in a NATO context.
"This agreement is an important step in the defence sector's climate and environmental strategy. The sector aims to cut 20 per cent of CO2 emissions by 2030 and reduce emissions from purchased goods and services. To achieve these goals, reduced emissions from business travel and the Armed Forces' own flights are central. The work that has been done to pave the way here is important," says Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen.
Norwegian has now delivered 1 million litres of biofuel to the airport in Ålesund with the help of St1 and the fuel supplier AFSN. The biofuel will cover 15 % of the total consumption of the defence sector's more than 250,000 business trips in 2024 and will reduce CO2 emissions by over 2,000 tonnes this year.
Norwegian has chosen to purchase short-haul biofuel from St1's newly established biorefinery in Gothenburg Sweden.
“Our biofuels production in Gothenburg enables us to serve Nordic customers closer and efficiently. Voluntary agreements, such as the Norwegian defence sector has committed, contribute to predictability and enable us to continue our focus on executing energy transition," says CEO Henrikki Talvitie of St1.
Norway’s defence sector at the forefront
"The Norwegian defence sector is leading the way here. All parties involved can be proud of having created an agreement model that is at the forefront globally. We hope both the public and private sectors will follow suit in the future," said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.
The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, which administers the agreement, confirms that Norway is ahead of the pack in this field.
"We have worked with the industry, organisations and experts to shape this tender for business travel. We are very pleased with the result, which shows that we can be at the forefront. The tender has already received international attention,” says Per Arne Johnsen, acting director of procurement in the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
Photo: Morten Bergene/Norwegian